In Episode 76 of Catching You, Rusty Ham sits down with powerhouse recruiting advisor Cheri Naudin, founder of Collegiate Sports Advocate, to have one of the most honest conversations about the evolving landscape of college softball recruiting. With Lacie Ham finishing her NCAA career and heading to play in Puerto Rico and potentially Australia, Rusty reflects on the ups and downs of her journey—and what he wished he’d known earlier.
Cheri pulls no punches as she shares how the recruiting process has shifted dramatically with NIL, the transfer portal, and post-COVID rule changes. From the early days of scouting 6th graders to today’s cutthroat, portal-heavy system, she offers powerful insight into why “adapt or die” isn’t just a quote from Moneyball—it’s the reality for players, parents, and coaches.
They talk candidly about false expectations, overlooked talent, and how too many families confuse big-name teams with the right fit. Cheri breaks down how she builds custom recruiting strategies, teaches life skills like time management, and tells the hard truths most people are afraid to hear.
If you're a softball family trying to navigate the process—or a parent wondering if you’re doing the right thing for your athlete—this episode is a must-listen.
🎙️ Visit collegiatesportsadvocate.com and mention Catching You for a personal follow-up from Cheri.
#CatchingYou #CollegeSoftball #RecruitingTruths #AdaptOrDie #ncaarecruiting
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:27 Evolution of Recruiting Practices
08:58 The Reality of College Recruitment
14:42 Adapting to New Recruiting Challenges
20:47 Understanding the Transfer Portal
26:44 Entitlement and Expectations in Sports
32:34 Investing in Recruitment vs. Equipment